Guard for electric switch levers



i 'May 9,1944- .w. KRIEGER 2,348,393

GUARD Fon ELECTRIC SWITCH LEVERS File April 2o, 1942 s sheets-sheet 1 May 9, 1944, A` w. KRIEGER l 2,348,393

. GUARD' FOR ELECTRIC SWITCH LEVERS Filed April 20, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 www May 9, 1944- A. w. rKranz-:GER 2,348,393

GUARD FOR EIECTRIC VSWITCH LEVERS h Filed April 2o, 194.2- s sheets-Skiset s Patented May 9, 1944 2,348,393 GUARD Fon ELECTRIC SWITCH LEvEns Alvin W. Krieger, Milwaukee, Wis., assigner to Cutler-Hammer, Inc., Milwaukee, Wis., a, corporation of Delaware Application April 20, 1942, SerialNo. 439,707 18 Claims. (Cl. 200--172) This invention relates to improvements in guards for electric switch levers, and more particularly to a combined guard and actuator for the operating lever of a switch.

A primary object of the invention is to provide means to prevent accidental movement or operation of a switch lever from a given position thereof.

.A more speciiic object is to provide a safety attachment or guard for a switch lever to insure against accidental operation of the latter from a predetermined position, in the event that the sleeve of an operators coat or jacket should tend to snag" the same.

Another object is to provide a lever guard which may be moved to and is resiliently retained in `each of two extreme positions thereof-said guard when in one eXtreme position preventing operation of the lever, and when in the other extreme position permitting normalvmanual operation of said lever.

Another object is to provide a guard of the `character last mentioned which when moved to said one position insures simultaneous movement of the switch lever to a given position of the latter.

Another object is to provide, in combination with a switch lever spring-biased for normal retention thereof in any one of a number of different positions, a guard of the aforementioned character whose spring-bias is adapted to overpower that of the switch lever under certain conditions.

Another object is to provide a guard of the aforementioned character which is adapted by a given extreme positioning thereof to indicate a condition of the circuit or circuits controlled by the switch.

Another object is to provide a switch lever guard and actuator of the aforementioned character which may be attached as a unit to an otherwise complete switch mechanism of well known construction.

Another object is to provide for utilization of the usual switch mounting means to also eiect retention of the lever guard attachment in as- -sembled relationship to the switch with which it is associated.

Another object is to provide guard attachments of the aforementioned character adapted for onehole mounting or two-screw mounting-depending upon the character of mounting provided for the switches to be associated therewith.

Another object is to provide such lever guards for use with switches of the two-position, threeposition, or four-position types. Another object is` to provide for use of such Other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter appear.

The accompanying drawings illustrate certain embodiments of the invention which will now be describedit being understood that the embodiments illustrated are susceptible of modiiication in respect of the structural details thereof within the scope of the appended claims.

In the drawings,

Figure 1 is a plan view of a switch lever guard attachment constructed in accordance with my invention, and adapted for use with a two-position on and on switch of the two-screw mounting type, the pivoted guard member being shown in one of its extreme positions.

Fig. 2 is a view, partly in side elevation, and partly in section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, showing my lever guard in assembled relationship to a two-position switch, the switch and guard being attached to a suitable supporting rplate or panel byV securing means common thereto, and the pivoted guard member being shown in the posi- ,tion thereof illustrated in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1, but showing the pivoted guard member in its other extreme position, the switch lever being in the "ofP posi- .tion thereof, as also shown in Fig. 2.

.opposite extreme position, the switch lever being shown in full lines in o position, and in dotted lines in the on position thereof.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a modified form of switch lever guard adapted for use with a switch of the one-hole mounting type.

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 2, but showing a slightly modified form of pivoted guard member, and illustrating use thereof in conjunction with a three-position switch, said switch having a momentary o extreme position, an opposite nonmomentary on position, and an intermediate 01T position; the switch lever being shown in full lines in its off position, and in dotted lines in its momentary on position.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary side elevation of the switch shown in Fig. 6; with the pivoted guard member in its upper extreme position, with the switch lever in full and dotted lines as shown in Fig. 6, and with the switch lever also shown in dotted lines in its upper extreme, or non-momentary contact, on position.

Fig. 8 is a plan view of a further modified form of switch lever guard adapted for use with a fourposition switch.

Fig. 9 is a side elevational View of such a fourthe panel to which the switch and lever guard f are attached by common fastening means being shown in section.

Fig. 12 is a bottom plan View of the four-position switch of Figs. 8 to 11, and

Fig. 13 is a sectional view, on the line I3-I3 of Fig; .9.

Referring to that form of my invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive; the numeral I5 (Figs. 2 and 4) designates a switch which is preferably of. the character disclosed in Patent No. 1,605,910, granted November 9, 1926, to E. G.

Appleton et al., and in Patent No. 1,918,282,

granted July 18, 1933', to G. J. Meuer; to which patents reference maybe had for a detailed description of the construction and operative characteristics of the switch. For present purposes it may be pointed out that switch I5 preferably comprises a metal shell or housing I5 having an upper end wall, `represented by plate I'I, attached thereto, and a bottom wall I8 preferably consisting of a punched plate of insulation. Plate I8 has positionedupon the inner surface thereof a pair of spaced stationary contacts, shown in dotted lines at I9 and 2!) in Fig. 2; said contacts having exteriorly -located wiring terminal elements -I ila and a, respectively.

The arrangement is such that contactlg acts as a fulcrum or `pivotal support for a contactor,

shown in dotted lines kat 2I in Fig. 2. Contactor -2I is preferably of channel shape in transverse cross section, whereby the same is adapted to receive and guide the lower end of an insulating plunger (see Patents Nos. 1,605,910 and 1,918,218 aforementioned) which is carried within a recess in the llower end of an operating lever 22 and spring-biased downwardly with respect thereto, so that upon movement of the lower end of the plunger to one side or the other of the fulcrum formed by contact I9 the contactor 2I is 22 accidentally; as, for instance, by inadvertent engagement or snagging thereof bythe coat or jacket sleeve of 'an operator. Where such switches are used to control operation of elements of an airplane or the like such accidental operation of the switch is very undesirable, and possibly dangerous, for obvious reasons. I therefore provide a pivotedguard member 23 for lever 2,2 to insure against the aforementioned accivdental movement of the latter.

Member 23 is preferably molded to the form .il-

-moved, with a quick action, into or out of bridg- 'ingengagement with contact 2E), to respectively lustrated in Figs. l to 4 from a suitable insulating material, such as Bakelite Said member 23 is provided at one end with a recess having a pair of side walls 23a and 23b at a convergent angle relatively to each other, and a pair of parallel side walls, one of which is shown at 23 in Fig. 2. An inverted U-shaped sheet metal member 24 is preferably molded as an insert within said recess in iiush relationship to the parallel sides thereof and in flush relationship to the flat end wall 23d thereof (Fig. 2). Each arm of member 24 is provided adjacent to the lower end thereof with a circular opening (not shown) for pivotal engagement thereof with a pin 25. Member 23 is provided at the opposite outer sides thereof with substantially circular raised portions or bosses 23e and 23f (Figs. 1 and 3), said bosses being provided with centrally located openings (not shown) alined with, but of larger diameter than. the pivot openings in the arms of member 24, whereby a metal to metal pivotal connection between member 23 (through insert member 24) and pin 25 is insured. The bosses 23e and 23f insure a minimum of frictional engagement between one side or the other of member 23 and the respective upstanding parallel arms 25a and Zb of a supporting plate 26.

The arms 2&3u and 261 are respectively provided with alined openings to freely receive the shank of pin 25, the head of which is shown at 25a, the shank end of said pin being upset, as shown at 25h, to retain the same in assembled position. Plate 26 has rigidly attached thereto, midway between and in parallel alinement with the arms 2552L and 25h, a flat punched sheet metal stud 2l, as by riveting a reduced end or shank portion 21 (Fig. 2) thereof over the inner surface of a correspondingly perforated raised portion or boss 28C on plate 26. Stud 2l is perforated, in alinement with the pivot openings in arms 26a and 26b to also receive the shank of pin 25; and said stud is provided at 2lb (Fig. 2) with an integral abutment; pin 25 cooperating with stud 21 to insure against any possible angular displacement of the same, whereby proper positioning of abutment 2lb with respect to the lower end of an lover-the-center spring is insured.

Abutment 2lb is adapted for engagement by a metal cup 28 seated in the lower end of a coiled compression spring 29, the other end of which spring engages under com-pression with the end wall 23d of the recess aforedescribed. As shown in Fig. 4 the arms 25a and 2Gb (which are of like shape) are of gradually reduced height below the pivot pin 25, thus serving to conceal a portion of the length of lever-22, without in anywise interfering with the intended manner of manually operating the latter.

As best Villustrated in Figs. 2 and 4, member 23 is provided with a second recess adapted to accommodate the lever 22 in the olf position of the latter, when member 23 is in the guarding position thereof shown in Fig. 2. Said second recess is provided with a pair of parallel side walls 23g and 23h (Figs. 2 and 3)., an angularly extending wall 23 of curved contour .in transverse cross section, which .merges with the walls 23g and 23h (see Fig. 3), and a flat upper end wall 231. When guard member 2'3 is moved to the upper extreme position thereof shown in Fig. 4, it is apparent that lever 22 may Vbe .moved manually from its full line off position to the on position thereof shown .in dotted lines. Also it will be apparent that with lever `22 ini-the dotted line position thereof shown' vin Fig. 4, the same may "be" directly moved manually to the full line position thereof illustrated.v In practice, -however, the guard member `23 will be manually flipped downwardly from the position thereof shown `inFig. 4 to its other extreme position, shown in Fig. 2, such movement of member 23 (when past the dead center of its compression spring 29) acting to overcome the spring-bias of lever 22 against movement toward its off position, as will be understood. f i l When guard member 23 is in the position thereof shown in Fig. `2, the same is normally manually moved to the extreme position thereof shown in Fig. 4 as a prerequisite to movement of lever 22 to its upper or on position. As an alternative manner of operation, however, the overhanging portion 23k may be engaged by the index finger of the operators hand, and the lever 22 may be substantially simultaneously engaged by the adjacent linger of the same hand, with the result that member 23 reaches theY upper eX- treme position thereof (Fig. 4) and lever 22 reaches its on position (dotted lines in Fig. 4) at substantially the same instant. .The switch shown in Figs. 1 tc 4 is adaptedto be attached to a suitably perforated supporting plate or panel 30 (Figs. 2 and 4) as by means of a pair of bolts 3 l, 3l and nuts 32, 32, suitable lockwashers 33, 33 preferably being provided. I accordingly provide forV attachment of plate 26 by the aforementioned fastening means, the plate 26 being provided with spaced openingsr 26d and 26e to accommodate the shanks of said screws 3|, 3|, as illustrated. `The first mentioned recess in member 23 includes a cut-away portion 231 to insure adequate clearance between said member and the head of the upper fastening screw 33.

In practiceeach guard member 23 may be molded from insulating material of any desired color, such as red, blue, green, black, etc.; and where a plurality of switches with guard members 23 are attached to a support or panel, it is obvious that any desired number of the guard members may be of like color or of distinguishing colors. This indicating characteristic of the guard mem.. bers afforded by individual o-r group color distinctions is of great practical importance to an airplane pilot, for example, especially where a large number of similar control switches are mounted upo-n the panel.

s Also, if desired, the various guard members 23 in a group may have desired indicating legends molded in, engraved, imprinted or otherwise applied thereto, as indicated by way of example in dotted lines at 34 in Fig. l. As an alternative I may apply a decalcomania transfer carrying the desired legend, a thin coating of lacquer being applied over and beyondthe borders of the decalcomania to resist abrasion or wear upon the latter. As shown in Fig. 2, `the plates 26 and 33 are provided with alined substantially circular perforations to accommodate lever 22 and to provide oscillatory clearancefor the latter.

In the modification shown in Fig. 5 the switch 34 may be in general of the character disclosed in said Patents Nos.` 1,605,910 and 1,918,282, except for a change in the superstructure thereof toY provide for one-hole mounting. Switches of this character adapted for one-hole mounting are disclosed in my Patent No. 2,248,362, granted July 8, 1941, for Electric switch. The lever guard and actuating member 23 may be identical with that aforedescribed, the same being biased by the aforedescribed compression spring (not shown in Fig. 5) to oneextreme position or theother.

However,` to provide for one-hole mounting" of guard member 23 by the same means employed for mounting of the switch, I prefer to provide a plate 35, which is relatively shorter than vthe plate 26 of Figs. 1 to 4; plate 35 having a pair of parallel upstanding arms, one of which is shown at 35a, between which guard member 23 is pivotally movable in a parallel plane. lSaid arms are perforated to accommodate the pivot pin, whose upset shank end is shown at 25h; the arms being of substantially the same height as, but of less length than, the arms 26a and 26b of Figs. 1 to 4,

thus insuring ample clearance for the nut 36 posed between nut 36 and the outer surface ofI plate 35 to insure against accidental loosening of the` clamping nuts. Any well known means, such as a tongue formed integrally with panel 31 for cooperation with a vertica1 groove in bushing 34a, may be employed to more positively insure against rotation of 4bushing 34a with respect to panel 31. Also it is to be understood that plate 35 has rigidly attached thereto a member (not shown) corresponding to the member 25 of Figs. l to 4, to pro-l vide an intermediate bearing for the pivot pin and to also provide an abutment for the lower end of the coiled compression spring 29 aforedescribed.

In the modified form of my invention illustrated in Figs. 6 and '1, I provide a lever` guard attachment which in respect of certain elements is the same as that disclosed in Figs. 1 to 4, but differs from the latter in respect of the manner in which the same is adapted for use in conjunction with a three-position switch having an intermediate off position and opposite extreme on positions, like elements of theA two devices being designated by corresponding numerals of reference.

Said three-position switch in Figs. 6 and 7 is designated in general by the numeral 40. Switch 40 is likewise of the character disclosed in said Patents Nos. 1,605,910 and 1,918,282; but whereas the switch l5 of Figs. 1 to 4 is of the singlethrow type, that illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7 is of the double-throw type with an intermediate off position. Such double-throw switches are shown in the aforementioned Patent No. 1,918,282; in Patent No. 1,666,338, granted April 17, 1928, to G. J. Meuer, for Electric switch; and in Patent No. 2,027,538, granted to me on January 14, 1936, for Electric switch. Thus switch 40 preferably comprises a metal shellor housing 4I having an upper end wall, represented by plate 42, attached thereto, and a bottom wall 43 (Fig. 6) preferably consisting of a punched plate of insulation. Plate 43 has positioned upon the inner surface thereof two opposite stationary end contacts, shown in dotted lines at 44 and 45, and an intermediate stationary contact, shown in dotted lines at 46,

which acts as a pivotal support or fulcrum for a y end (not shown) a spring-biased plunger which coacts with contacter 41 to provide for intermediate o positioning of the contacter when lever 22 is in its intermediate position shown in full lines in Figs. 6 and 7; and to providefor engagement of contacter 41 with contact 44 or contact 45 selectively, depending upon thedirection of movement of lever 22 from its intermediate position (see Fig. 7). The upper arm of contacter 41 is formed, as shown in dotted lines at 41a in Fig. 6, to provide for automatic return of said contacter and lever 22 to their intermediate y off position upon manual release of the lever.

The position of contacter 41 wherein it engages contact 44 is therefore known as the temporary on position; whereas upon movement of lever 22 to the upper extreme, or non-momentary on, position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 7, the contacter 41 will be moved into engagement with contact 45, and will not be automatically disengaged from the latter upon manual release of said lever. A switch of the double-throw type, with intermediate off position, and providing for so-called momentary contact in one on po.- sition thereof is shown in Fig. 12 of my aforementioned Patent No. 2,027,538.

The guard member I of Figs. 6 and 7 is in most respects exactly like the guard member 23 aforedescribed, but differs from the latter in that the portion shown in dotted lines at 5W in Fig. 6, which is present in the member 23, is eliminated from the member 5I. This form of guard member 5I permits a greater degree of angular movement thereof between its opposite extreme positions, as best illustrated in Fig. 7. As shown in Fig. 7, such upper extreme positioning of guard member 5I provides for manual operation of lever 22 to any one of itsthree positions without any interference by the guard member, when desired.

Also as shown in dotted lines at 5|b in Fig. 6, the angularlyv extending wall (corresponding te 23i of Figs. l to 4) is eliminated, and the recess which accommodates lever 22 is provided with the walls 5I's and 51d to accommodate lever 22 in its intermediate off position, when guard member 5I is in the lower eXtreme position thereof shown in Fig. 6. With guard member 5l in the upper extreme position thereof shown in Fig. 7, and with lever 22 in its upper extreme dotted line position shown in Fig. 7 (to provide for engagement of contacter 41 with Contact 45), it is obvious that lever 22 may be moved to its intermediate off position, and thereafter moved to its momentary on position, by direct manual operation of thelever.

Alternatively the lever 22 may be moved from thel upper extreme dotted line position thereof shownV in Fig. 7 to the full line, er intermediate off position thereof shown in full lines, by merely manually nipping the guard member 5I downwardly to over-center the same with respect to spring 29 (Fig. 6), spring 29 acting, by engagernent of the recess wall 5&0 against lever 22 to cam the latter to the full line position thereof shown in Fig. .6; spring 29 being of suncient strength to overcome the tendency of the switch spring (not shown) to retain contacter 41 in its non-momentary on position.

With reference to Fig. 6, it` should be pointed out that the dotted line showing of lever 22 in its lower extreme position merely indicates. a position to which the same may be moved manually when guard member 5l is in its upper extreme position shown in Fig. 7, the switch mechanism per se acting to automatically insure po sitioning of lever 22 in its intermediate oi position when member 5I is in its lower extreme position, as will be obvious.

It will be apparent to these skilled in the art that switch 40 of Figs. 6 and 7 may be arranged in a relationship the reverse of that illustrated, in which case the guard member 5| will protect the lever 22 against accidental movement when in either its intermediate 01T position er its non-momentary on position.

In Figs. 8 to 13, inclusive, I have shown my combined switch lever guard and actuator as used in conjunction with a known ferm of four-position switch. Said four-position switch, designated Iby numeral 52, is in general of the character disclosed in the aforementioned Patents Nos. 1,605,- 910, 1,666,338, 1,918,282. and 2,027,538, and preferably comprises an inverted cup-shaped sheet metal housing 53 of somewhat rounded triangular contour in tr-ansverse cross section (see Fig. 13) Whose lower end is closed by a flat, punched insulating plate 54 of substantially circular contour. Housing 53 is provided at the mid-point of the lower edge ef each of its three straight side wall portions with integral lugs 53a, 53h and 53., which are respectively accommodated by periph eral notches 54, 54b and 54c in pl-ate 54; said lugs being bent inwardly over the lower surface of said plate, as best illustrated in Fig. 12.

Plate 54 has positioned upon the inner surface thereof three substantially cylindrical studs 55, 56 and 51 symmetrically arranged with respect te the contours of pl-ate 54 and of the peripheral wall of housing 53; said studs having reduced shank portions which penetrate alined openings in plate 54 and the respective terminal members 58, 59 and 60, and said shank portions having hollow ends which are upset over the terminal members, as shown at 55a, 56HL and 51 in Fig. l2. Members 58, 59 4and 60 may be formed as .illustrated from like metal blanks, the blanks of members 58 and 59 merely being bent along corresponding lines in opposite directions te provide for rightand left-hand members whose wiring terminal portions extend at the angle best illustrated in Fig. 9; whereas member BD is bent in the same direction as member 58, but with a substantially right angle bend, as shown in Figs. 9 and l2.

Positioned centrally of plate 54 is a tubular sheet metal member 5I having three equally spaced upstanding peripheral lugs Sla, SIb and (ilc (Fig. 13), with coplanar peripheral edge portions therebetween, said edge portions being located -a predetermined distance above plate 54. Alined with the respective lugs 6 la, lb and E I C and penetrating plate 54 and corresponding openings in a fourth terminal member 62 are lugs 61d, 6I@ and 6 l which are bent laterally over member 52, as shown in Fig. l2. A portion of member 62 is bent at substantially a rightangle thereto, as shown in Figs. 9 and 12. Members 58, 59, 60 and G2 have tapped openings te accommodate the Shanks of binding screws 53.

Studs 55 and 55 are of corresponding height, whereas stud 51 is preferably only slightly more than one-third as high as studs 55 and 55. Each stud preferably has rigidly attached to the flat upper surface thereof, as by spot welding, a substantially rectangular plate 54 of coin silver or the like (Fig. 13) which serves as a contact tip. A triple-armed contacter, 65 has its concave cen-f tral portion '559 (Fig. 13) positioned within the upwardly opening end of member 5I, Withvthe three arms 65h, 65c and 65d adapted to jointly engage the inner surfaces of the aforementioned coplanar edge portions in the neutral ,or intermediate off position of the contactor, shown in Fig. 13. The arms 65b and 65 preferably have straight ends as shown, whereas arm 65d is provided with a rounded end. The purpose of this is to insure proper placement or positioning of the contactor blank within the forming die, and to also indicate the proper assembly of contactor 65 with respect to the studs aforementioned. When for-med, the inner portions of arms 65b and 65 have a relatively steep upward pitch, whereas the inner portion of arm 65d has only a slight upward pitch. The free ends of the arms 65b and 65 are bent laterally at like angles to the inner portions thereof, Whereas the free end of arm 65d is offset upwardly from the inner portion thereof to lie in a plane substantially parallel to the latter. The arrangement is such that in the off position of the contacter the free ends of the contactorv arms are spaced substantially equal disstances from the. tips 64 upon the studs respectively associated therewith, the free ends of said contactor arms having tips of coin silver or the like spot Welded or otherwise rigidly attached to the inner surface thereof for cooper-ation with the respective tips 64. Said contacter tips are preferably of circular contour, as indicated in dotted lines and designated by numerals '66 in Fig. 13.

The spring-'biased insulating actuator is shown in section at 61 in Fig. 13, the same being adapted `when in the intermediate position thereof shown to hold contactor 65 out of engagement with each of the three stationary contacts.` When actuator 61 is moved laterally over arm 65, the contactor 65 will fulcrum `as awholeupon the peripheral edge portion between lugs 6la and 6l, and the contactor tip of arm 65 will be moved into engagement with the tip on stud 51. Such movement of actuator 61 is eected by a corresponding movement of switch operating lever 68 to the position thereof shown in full lines in Figs. 9, 10 and 11; it being obvious from consideration of said figures that lever 68 is guided in its movement to said full line position thereof, or to one or the other of its dotted line positions shown at 68a and 6Bb in Fig. 10-or the same may be moved to its off position, shown in dotted lines at 68 in Fig. 1l. The arrangement of the switch parts is such that the contacter 65 may be moved to and retained in either the off POSOII thereof provided by the intermediate positioning of the lever shown at 68 in Fig. ll, or the non-momentary on position thereof provided by the full line position of lever :68. .On the other hand, when lever 63 is moved to either of its dotted line positions 68a or 6.8", Fig. 10, the contacter 65 will be automatically moved to its intermediate off position, as shown in Fig. 13 upon manual release of lever 68, due to the spring bias of actuating member 61 and the camming action thereon of either of the contacter arms 65b and 65.

It follows that the dotted line positions 68a and 63b of lthe lever (Fig. l0) only provide for so-A called momentary on positioning of thecontactor. The selector switch of the device of Figs. 8 to lever 68 in Figs. 9, 10 and 1l); or momentary completion of one or another of a pair of circuits (position 68b or position 68, Fig. 10).

In order to prevent accidental movement of lever 68 from the full line position thereof shown in Figs. 9, 10 and 11 (the non-momentary on position of contacter 65) I provide a molded insulating guard member 69 which is pivotally supported by a pin 16 (Fig, 9). Pin 10 penetrates alined openings formed in spaced lugs Ha and 1Ib which are bentupwardly from opposite sides of a sheet metal bracket member 1| (Figs. 9 and 11). Bracket 1l is superimposed upon a substantially at sheet metal plate 12; said plate having a perforated boss or raised portion 12a (Fig. 9) formed thereon, and bracket 1| having an opening to accommodate said boss.

A metal member 13 (preferably machined) has a reduced portion or shank which penetrates the boss opening and is upset over the lower surface of said boss,as shown at 13a in Fig. 9, to secure member 13, bracket 1| and plate 12 to each other. Member 13 has an opening 13b formed therein which is also penetrated by pin 10, it being understood that pin 10 penetrates alined openings formed in member 69 at opposite walls of a recess 69a formed in the latter by the molding operation. Pin 1D has a head 1l]a and a hollow shank end which is upset as shown at 10b to retain said parts in assembled relation. Member 13 is provided at its upper end with an integral neck 13 which carries a knob or substantially spherical portion 13d. Knob or abutment 13d is adapted for cooperation with a sheet metal cup memberl 14 which is seatedin the lower end of a coiled compression spring 15 whose upper end bears against the end wall of recess 69a (see Fig. 9).

Switch housing 53 has rigidly attached to its upper end a support plate 16 having the integral raised portion '16a which is notched as aforementioned to guide lever 68 to any one of its three operative positions. The plates'16 and 12 are attached to opposite sides of a panel 11 or other 4suitable support, said plates and said panel having alined openings to jointly accommodate any suitable fastening means, such as the bolts 18 and nuts 19. As shown, bracket 1| is provided with an openingto accommodate the shank of one of said bolts, to insure against any possible tendency of said bracket to move with respect to plate 12. r Panel 11 and plate 12 are provided with alined openings to accommodate raised portion 16a and to afford clearance for lever'68.

As will be apparent from consideration of Fig. 9, guard member69 is biased to one extreme position thereof or the other. Thus if it is desired to move switch lever 68 from the non-momentary on -position thereof shown in Fig. 9 it is necessary to movemember 69 to its other extreme position,.shown in Figs. 10 and 11. Lever 68 may thereupon be moved to the intermediate, or off position, shown at 68 in Fig. 11, and thereafter the same may be moved to either of its momenl tary onpositions, shown at 68 and 68b in Fig.

10. If lever 68 is in the position thereof shown at 68 in Fig. 11, the same may be moved manually in the usual manner to the full line position thereof shown in Figs. 9, 10 and 11; or the same may alternatively be moved to said last mentioned position by merely manually nipping guard member 69 over the dead center of spring 15, whereupon both guard member 69 and lever 6B will be biased to' move tothe respective positions thereof shown in Fig. 9; the spring 15, of course. being adapted to overcome the bias afforded by the switch spring.

Plate 12V may haveapplied thereto any suitable markings or legends to indicate the various circuit controlling functions afforded by the switch contacter in the respective positions of lever 68.

Various other embodiments of my invention are obvious, or will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art.

Although I have shown the guard members 23, l and 69 as composed of a suitable molded insulating material, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that said members may, ifY desired, be composed of aluminum or another suitable metal or metallic composition adaptable for formation thereof by die casting, or other types of metal molding.v Also, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the guard members may be die formed or drawn to the Adesired shapes from punched sheet metal blanks, the cut metal edges of 'which are 'preferably smoothed or rounded by a tumblingor Sandblasting operation. I prefer, however, to form said guard members of molded insulating materials, the advantages of which, for my purposes, are obvious.

I claim: A

1. As an article of manufacture, a combined guard and actuator for electric switches of the lever operated type, comprising a manually operable member having a recess formed therein, a coiled spring positioned within said recess and engaged under compression between an abutment formed in the latter and a fixed abutment,

and a pin extending transversely of said member for pivotal support of the latter about an axis eccentric to said xed abutment, whereby said member is biased by said spring toward one extreme position or the other thereof relatively to said fixed abutment.

2. As an article of manufacture, a combined guard and actuator for electric switches of the lever operated type, comprising a manually operable member having a recess formed therein, a coiled spring positioned within said recess and engaged under compression between an end wall of the latter and a fixed abutment, a pin extending transversely of said member for pivotal support of the latter about an axis eccentric to said abutment, whereby said member is biased by said spring toward one extreme position or the other thereof relatively to said abutment, and associated means to limit the degrees of movement of said member in opposite directions respectively.

3. As an article of manufacture, a combined guard and; actuator for electric switches of the lever operated' type, comprising a manually operable member having a recess formed therein, a

coiled spring positioned within said recess and engaged under compression between an end wall of the latter and a fixed abutment, a pin extending transversely of said member for pivotal support of the latter aboutan axis eccentric to said abutment, whereby said member is biased by said spring toward one extreme position or the other thereof relatively to said abutment, and associated means to limit the degrees of movement of said member in opposite directions respectively, said last mentioned means comprising a punched and stamped sheet metal member to which said abutment and said pin are permanently attached.

4. As an article of manufacture, a combined `guard and actuator for electric switches of the lever operated type, comprising a manually operable member having a recess formed therein, a coiled spring positioned within said recess and engaged under compression between an end wall of the latter and a fixed abutment, a pin extending transversely of said member for pivotal support of the latter about an axis eccentric to said abutment, whereby said member is biased by said spring toward one extreme position or the other thereof relatively to said abutment, said member in one extreme position thereof being adapted to overlie a switch lever to insure against accidental movement of the latter from a given position thereof, and said member in its other extreme position being adapted to permit manual movement ofthe lever to any of its positions free from interference by the former.

5. As an article of manufacture, a combined guard and actuator for electric switches of the lever operated type, comprising a manually operable member having a recess formed therein, a coiled spring positioned within said recess and engaged under compression between an end wall of the latter and a fixed abutment, a pin extending transversely of said member for pivotal support of the latter about an axis eccentric to said abutment, whereby said member is biased by said spring toward one extreme position or the other thereof relatively to said abutment, said member Y ship to each other, an abutment member also attached to said sheet metal member and extending upwardly therefrom between said lugs, said lugs and said abutment member having alined openings formed therein, an oscillatable member having a recess formed therein and opening to the lower end thereof, the opposite side walls of said recess having openings formed therein for alinement with the openings aforementioned, a headed pin the shank of which penetrates all of said openings and the end of which shank is upset to retain said parts in assembled relation, a coiled spring interposed under compression between said abutment member and the upper end wall of said recess, said spring acting to bias said oscillatable member to one extreme position or the other thereof on opposite sides of the abutment member, and said oscillatable member having a portion thereof adapted for camming engagement with a switch lever to insure movement of the latter to one of its extreme positions upon movement of the former to its corresponding extreme position.

'7. As an article of manufacture, a combined guard and actuator attachment for electric switches of the lever operated type, comprising a punched and stamped sheet metal member having a pair of lugs rigidly attached thereto and extending upwardly therefrom in parallel relationship to each other, an abutment member also attached to said sheet metal member and extending upwardly therefrom between said lugs, said lugs and said abutment member having alined openings formed therein, an oscillatable member having a recess formed therein and opening to the lower end thereof, the opposite side walls of said recess having openings formed therein for alinement with the openings aforementioned, a headed pin the shank of which penetrates all of Ition or the other thereof with respect said openings and the end of which shank is upset to retain said parts in assembled relation, a coiled spring interposed under compression between said abutment member and the upper end wall of said recess, said spring acting to bias said oscillatable member to one extreme position or the other thereof on opposite sides of the abutment member, and said oscillatable member having a portion thereof adapted for camming engagement with a switch lever to insure movement of the latter to one of its extreme positions upon movement of the former to its corresponding extreme position, said oscillatable member in said Aone extreme position thereof acting to insure lagainst movement of the lever from its aforementioned extreme position pending a predetermined degree of movement of said oscillatable member toward its opposite extreme position, and

.said oscillatable member in its last mentioned `lever operated type, comprising a molded insulating member having a recess formed therein by the molding operation, a relatively heavy coiled spring positioned within said recess and engaged under a predetermined degree of compression fbetween an end wall of the latter and a xed abutment, and a pin extending transversely of said member for pivotal support of the latter about an axis eccentric to said abutment, whereby said insulating member is biased from a transient intermediate position toward one extreme posito said abutment.

9. As an article of manufacture, a combined guard and actuator for electric switches of the lever operated type, comprising a molded insulating member having a recess formed therein by the molding operation. a relatively heavy coiled spring positioned within said recess and engaged under a predetermined degree of compression between an end wall of the latter and a fixed abutment. a pin extending transversely of 10. As an article of manufacture, a combined guard and actuator attachment for electric switches of the lever operated type, comprising a punched and stamped sheet metal member Vhaving a pair of lugs extending therefrom in' spaced relationship to each other, an abutment member attached to said sheet metal member and extending therefrom between said lugs, said lugs and saidabutment member having alined openings formed therein, a molded insulating member having a recess formed therein by the molding operation and opening to the lower end thereof, the opposite side walls of said recess having openings formed therein and alined with the openings aforementioned, a pivot pin pene- Cil trating all of said openings, a relatively strong coiled spring interposed under a predetermined degree of compression between said abutment and a wall of said recess, said spring biasing said insulating member to one extreme position or the other, said insulating member having a cam surface formed thereon for engagement with a switch lever to insure a predetermined positioning of the latter as an incident to movement of the former to one of its extreme positions, said .insulating member in the last mentioned position thereof acting to insure against movement of the lever to one of its extreme positions pending a predetermined degree of movement of said insulating member toward its opposite extreme position, and said insulating member in its last mentioned position providing clearance for any desired manual movement of said lever.

11. The combination with an electric switch having an operating lever movable to a plurality of different positions, said lever having a contactor biasing spring associated therewith, of a member pivotally supported adjacent said lever, an abutment, a relatively heavy coiled compression spring interposed between said abutment and a part of said member to bias the latter toward one or the other of its extreme positions, said member when moved over center toward one of its extreme positions being adapted t0 insure corresponding movement of said lever and overlying the latter to prevent accidental movement thereof from a given position, said member in its other extreme position affording clearance for said lever to provide for manual movement of the latter to any desired position, an element affording the pivotal support for said member and to which said abutment is rigidly attached, and associated means for jointly attaching said element and said switch to a suitable support.

12. The combination with an electric switch having an operating lever movable to a plurality of different positions, said lever having a contactor biasing spring associated therewith,

of a member pivotally supported adjacent said lever, an abutment, a relatively heavy coiled compression spring interposed between said abutment and a part of said member to bias the latter toward one or the other of its extreme positions, said member when moved over center toward one of its extreme positions being adapted to insure corresponding movement of said lever and overlying the latter to prevent accidental movement thereof from a given extreme position, said member in its other extreme position affording clearance for said lever to provide for manual movement of the latter to any desired position, means including `a punched and stamped sheet metal plate affording the pivotal support for said member, and means common to said plate and said switch for attaching the same to each other and to a panel or the like.

13. The combination with an electric switch including an oscillatable contactor movable to an off position and at least one on position, a pivotally supported lever having a springbiased plunger associated with said contactor, said lever being movable selectively to at least two positions to effect the aforementioned movements of said contactor, a supporting panel, a punched and stamped sheet metal member, common means for rigidly attaching said sheet metal member and said switch to said panel, a

combined guard and actuating element pivotally supported by said sheet metal member for movement Vin the plane of movement of said lever, spring means interposed between saidsheet metal member and said guard to bias the latter to one extreme position thereof o1' the other, said guard in one extreme position thereof enabling manual movement of said lever to any desired position thereof, and said guard when moved over center toward its other extreme position effecting corresponding movement of said lever and insuring against maintenanceof the latter'in one of its positions.

14. The combination With an electric switch having an operating lever movable to and normally spring-retained in any one of a plurality of different positions, one of said positions providing for completion of a controlled circuit and another of said positions providing for interruption of said circuit, of a combined guard and actuating attachment for said lever, said attachment comprising a molded insulating member pivotally supported adjacent said lever for movement in the plane of movement of the latter, a relatively heavy coiled compression spring associated with said member and biasing the latter to one extreme position or the other, said member in one of its extreme positions affording manual movement of said lever to any desired position thereof, said member when moved over center toward its other extreme position insuring corresponding movement and corresponding extreme positioning of said lever, said member in such last mentioned position acting to prevent accidental movement of said lever, an element affording the pivotal support for said member, and means common to said element and said switch for rigidly attaching the same to each other and to a suitable support.

l5. The combination with an electric switch having a contactor movable from an intermediate off position to one or another eX- treme on position, of a lever correspondingly movable to effect such movements of said contactor, said contactorand said lever including spring means coacting therewith to insure return thereof to the intermediate off position upon manual release of the lever after movement thereof t one extreme "on position, said spring means also coacting With said contactor and said lever to normally insure retention thereof in the other extreme on position when manually moved thereto, a combined guard and actuating attachment comprising a molded insulating member pivotally supported adjacent said lever, a relatively heavy coiled compression spring associated with said member to bias the latter to one extreme position or the other, said member in one of its extreme positions providing for manual movement of said lever to any desired position thereof, said member when moved over center toward its other position insuring positioning of said lever in either its intermediate off position or its other extreme on position, said member in its last mentioned position overlying said lever to prevent accidental movement of the latter, a punched and stamped sheet metal element affording the pivotal support for said member, and means common to said element and saidsvvitch forrigidly attaching the same to a suitable support.

16. The combination with a four-position switch having a triple-armed contactor movable from an intermediate ofi position to one or another momentary on position or alternatively to a non-momentary on position, of a lever including a spring-biased plunger movable in any of three alternative directions to effect such movements of said contactor, a recessed molded insulating member `pivotally supported adjacent said lever for movement in a single plane, a relatively heavy coiledcompression spring positioned within the recess in said member and engaged under a predetermined degree of compression with a Xed abutment, whereby said member is biased to one extreme position or the other, said member when in one of its extreme positions providing for manual movement of said lever to any desired position of the latter, said member when moved overI center toward its other extreme position insuring corresponding movement to and positioning of said lever in its aforementioned nonmomentary on position, said member in its last mentioned position overlying said lever to prevent accidental movement thereof, means including a punched sheet metal element aording the pivotal support for said member and to which said abutment is rigidly attached, and means common to said element and said switch for rigidly attaching the same to each other and to a suitable support.

17. A guard adapted for use with a switch having a pivotally movable switch lever oomprising a cover member, hinge means connecting one side of said cover member to support means therefor for movement of said cover member into and out of protective position over said switch lever, and an over-center mechanism operable to accelerate movement of said cover member to both its protective and non-protective positions, said cover member providing an interior surface adapted to slidably engage and operate said pivoted switch lever as said cover member is moved into its protective position over said switch lever.

18. A protective guard adapted for use with a switch having a pivoted switch lever comprising a body cover member for said lever, said cover member being provided with a recess therein, a fixedly secured upstanding hinge post adapted to extend into said recess, pintle means connecting said hinge post and the Walls of said cover member defining the said recess therein to provide for hinge movement of said cover member, a spring member carried in said recess, and means providing a turning movement of one end of said spring member on said hinge post to constitute an over-center mechanism Whereby said spring member as it passes a dead-center position upon movement of said cover member will be biased towards the position to which said cover member is being moved, said cover member including an interior surface thereof adapted to slidably engage and operate said pivoted switch lever as said cover member is moved into protective position over said switch lever.

ALVIN W. KRIEGER. 

